A volcano in Far East Russia's Kamchatka region has begun spewing large amounts of ash and lava, destroying roadways and forcing schools and kindergartens in surrounding areas to close, Russian media reported Wednesday.
The Klyuchevskaya volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes, began erupting in late June, although experts said at the time that it did not pose any threat to the nearby population.
However, on Wednesday, Klyuchevskaya started releasing an ash column some 14 kilometers into the atmosphere, prompting authorities to issue an aviation “code red” alert and shut down schools in towns located near the volcano.
In the village of Klyuchi, located some 30 kilometers from the volcano's crater, residents received warnings of a possible ashfall.
Similarly, local officials warned that mobile communications and internet connection could be disrupted by the eruption, adding that they were taking “all measures to eliminate the consequences as quickly as possible.”
A high amount of activity is not unusual for the Klyuchevskaya volcano, which has erupted several dozen times since 1700.
However, experts are unsure as to whether the latest eruption will soon dissipate or intensify further, with some saying the volcano could continue to release ash and lava for several more months.
Russia's far-flung Kamchatka Peninsula is home to more than 300 volcanos, including 29 that are active.
In April, the nearby Shiveluch volcano spewed massive plumes of ash across large swaths of the region, disrupting air traffic and blanketing a nearby village with a thick layer of ash.
… we have a small favor to ask. As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.
Remind me later.
